The Native Americans held them sacred. Early settlers struggled to cross them. Environmentalists have sought to preserve them and their superlatives stretch the imagination. They are the mountains of Western North Carolina and their towering peaks scale vibrant communities that are rich in culture and history. This is the High Country.

Once predominantly a vacation destination, today more and more people are choosing the High Country for either a permanent or second home location. The allure of the area's scenic , cultural, recreational, and historic attractions and a slower pace of living combine to provide the ideal environment for varied interests and life choices.

Visit Firethorn and find your piece of paradise among the towering hardwoods, rhododendrons, and mountain streams.